In an op-ed for El Diario, Christopher Sabatini argues that congressional delay of a vote on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement could have negative political and economic effects on the entire hemisphere and also threatens security and free trade in Colombia. (en español)

The U.S. House of Representatives stalled the bilateral free-trade deal with Colombia, approving a rule change that waives a requirement to consider the agreement within 90 days. The future of the pact remains uncertain. 

In an AS/COA Online Interview, COA Vice President and trade policy expert Eric Farnsworth discusses Congress' decision to delay consideration of the U.S.-Colombia free-trade agreement. He warns that a failure to approve the deal would undermine regional allies who support an open market democratic system.

In an op-ed, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urges congressional approval of a bilateral trade agreement with Colombia, emphasizing the Andean country's commitment to democracy and and the opportunity provided by the trade deal to strengthen U.S. competitiveness.

President Bush signed documents to submit legislation for congressional approval of the U.S.-Colombia trade pact. The deal faces challenges in Congress, despite loosening trade restrictions for U.S. exports to Colombia.

Philippe Legrain, a journalism fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, writes that: "The Democratic rivals have bought into most of the myths that have been peddled about the agreement and have placed their opposition to NAFTA at the center of their campaigns. Here's some information that could help them update their stump speeches."